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“It is so busy,” she said. “And so noisy.” The shouts of street traders drifted up to where she perched. The clatter of horses’ hooves rang from the cobbles, rivalled only by the rattle of cartwheels.
“Aye, ’tis always the same.” Robbie joined her at the window, his nose wrinkling. “An’ the stench never changes either.”
Katherine had to agree, though she might have refrained from mentioning it since she was determined to see only the good in all things Scottish.
“I expect all cities are much the same,” she replied. “We passed through London when my brother and I went to Greenwich, and that was just as malodorous.”
“Aye, but in London the filth of the city is dumped i’ the river an’ eventually washed out tae sea. Here, the slops an’ muck are simply flung into the streets then flushed down by the rain to end up i’ the loch, an’ there it all festers for the rest of eternity.”
“Oh. That does indeed sound dreadful.” Katherine had never given much thought to such matters before.
“’Tis no’ just the piss an’ shit,” Robbie continued. “I’ve seen many a dead cat or dog slung into the water, an’ the rats…” He paused to grimace. “People, too, where it suits. Here in Edinburgh they dinnae always bother wi’ a hangman. ’Tis easier just tae bind convicted criminals hand an’ foot and throw ’em i’ the loch. I dinnae ken how many corpses, human or otherwise, might be sloppin’ around in there.”
Shuddering, Katherine turned away from the window, immediately abandoning any thoughts of walking down to the water for a breath of air. “Are we to attend the king today?”
They had arrived in the city yesterday and proceeded straight to the castle where they spent a quiet evening in their apartment. This was to be Katherine’s first full day in the Scottish capital, and despite what she was learning of the not so salubrious and stinking underbelly of the city, she was anxious to explore where she might.
“Aye. I sent word tae Holyrood last night that we have arrived, an’ James has summoned me tae attend him afore the midday meal. Ye shall come wi’ me tae pay yer respects, then ye may amuse yersel’ as ye like. The gardens are quite beautiful, an’ the abbey library is one o’ the finest I have seen.”
“I will not know anyone,” she murmured. “Can I not stay with you?”
“Sadly not. I shall be sequestered wi’ the king an’ his advisers most o’ the day. But I shall make sure ye are introduced to some o’ the court ladies. Lady Joan Stuart is a distant cousin tae the king and an accomplished musician, an’ Mary Douglas is a renowned patron of the arts, though I would not recommend her as a friend. She can be conniving an’ manipulative. Above all, she is ambitious, and I suspect she would sell her own grandmother were the price high enough. Best tae steer clear o’ her, but ye would likely find Lady Joan good company.”
“But, what if they…?” Katherine was by no means confident she would be accepted among the Scottish aristocracy.
“All will be well. It is no’ so long since Joan Beaufort wed our own James the First. She was English but she ruled Scotland wi’ her husband, an’ her son took the throne after him. We Scots can be pragmatic when such is called for. An, ye must no’ forget, our marriage is sanctioned by the current James. None will have anything tae say on the matter, nor will they be surprised tae see ye at court.”
“I suppose this is true.” She forced a smile. “I shall be pleased to make the acquaintance of the court ladies.”
Protocol demanded that their first duty at Holyrood was to attend the king in his receiving chamber. They did not have long to wait, since the king was clearly eager to see Robbie. They were ushered from the antechamber by the royal guards and directed into the large hall, to join the assembled throng of Scottish nobility who surrounded the young monarch at every opportunity. Each would be intent upon lobbying for favours on their own behalf or that of their family, for advancement at court, and ideally, for a coveted post in the monarch’s inner circle.
Robbie had no need to resort to such machinations. His position was secured, his worth to the king proven again and again.
James himself was seated upon his ornate throne, set upon a dais at the far end of the hall, where he might observe the room and beckon those he wished to speak with. He caught sight of Robbie the moment they entered and raised his hand to summon him to draw close.
Katherine clung to her husband’s elbow as he made his way through the crowd, pausing whenever he did to smile at those who greeted him on his way across the chamber. Currying favour with those already accepted into the inner circle was another way to advance one’s own cause, and there were many who wished a quick word with the Earl of Roxburghe.
“May I present my countess, Lady Katherine Roxburghe,” Robbie repeated to each noble who peered quizzically at her. “Her late brother was the Marquis of Otterburn.”
One or two eyebrows raised at the mention of the English title, but for the main part she was greeted cordially enough since few would wish to make an enemy of this favoured and influential earl. Katherine might have started to relax, but she still had to bear the scrutiny of the king himself.
James’ greeting was warm enough. He leaned forward to clasp hands with Robbie, declared him welcome, then demanded to know what had kept him from court these past weeks.
Robbie bowed low, then drew Katherine forward. “Ye’re aware of my recent marriage, Your Majesty. May I present my wife…”
Katherine sank into a deep curtsey, her gaze on the floor.
James rose to his feet to take both her hands in his and draw Katherine up onto the dais. “Ye may. Ye may indeed. An excellent match, Robbie. Ye’ve made a fine alliance an’ gained yourself a beautiful bride in the process. My congratulations.”
Robbie bounded up onto the dais to stand beside Katherine and placed his palm on her waist. The possessive gesture was not lost on Katherine.
“My thanks, sire. And now, ’twill be obvious why I was not as eager as usual tae return tae Edinburgh.”
“Indeed it is.” James ran his assessing gaze over Katherine, from the fashionable coif on her dark-auburn head to the delicate slippers on her feet. “I am delighted to make your acquaintance, Lady Roxburghe. I trust we shall see you often at court.” He bent to kiss her cheek.
“I hope so, Your Majesty,” she murmured. “Edinburgh is a beautiful city.”
“Aye, and made more so for your presence among us, Lady Katherine. I would enjoy showing you around personally.”
